Dutch vaccine developer Mucosis has announced that John Lambert has been elected as the new chairman of its supervisory board. Mucosis is developing vaccines based on particles created from inactivated Lactococcus lactis bacteria, including its lead candidate, an intranasal influenza vaccine called FluGEM. Read the company's press release … [Read more...] about Mucosis elects new chairman
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Positive Phase II results for Relovair dry powder inhaler
GlaxoSmithKline has announced that the Relovair fluticasone furoate/vilanterol trifenatate DPI it is developing with Theravance showed good results in a Phase II study involving 60 COPD patients. Studies of the component drugs for asthma also demonstrated efficacy and safety, according to GSK. Phase III studies for both COPD and asthma are underway. Read the … [Read more...] about Positive Phase II results for Relovair dry powder inhaler
RTS Life Science announces new Pharmaceutical Testing Group
Automation company RTS Life Science has formed a new team comprised of US and UK engineering and sales personnel. The move comes after the recent acquisition of a Massacheusetts company and the opening of a US headquarters. According to RTS Director for inhalation automation Mark Fish, "Our new US office and base will help us better serve and support the US … [Read more...] about RTS Life Science announces new Pharmaceutical Testing Group
Freeman Technology promotes Jamie Clayton
Jamie Clayton has been appointed Operations Manager for Freeman Technology, responsible for all day-to-day operations, including R&D, production, and sales. According to Freeman, it added the position in anticipation of further growth for the company, which manufactures and markets a universal powder testing system, the FT4 Powder Rheometer. Clayton has been … [Read more...] about Freeman Technology promotes Jamie Clayton
NHLBI study shows tiotropium/ICS combo effective for asthma
A study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that a combination of tiotropium bromide with a low dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) provides better asthma control than doubling the dose of ICS and is as effective as a salmeterol/ICS combination. Patients taking the tiotropium combination gained … [Read more...] about NHLBI study shows tiotropium/ICS combo effective for asthma
Phase III data shows Onbrez better for COPD than salmeterol
Novartis has announced that its Phase III INSIST study shows that its once-daily Onbrez Breezhaler indacaterol DPI produces better bronchodilation in COPD patients than does twice-daily salmeterol. Onbrez also reduced the need for rescue medication, according to the data presented. The FDA has requested additional clinical data from Novartis for consideration of … [Read more...] about Phase III data shows Onbrez better for COPD than salmeterol
Boston Scientific buys Asthmatx, hopes to expand use of bronchial thermoplasty
Boston Scientific has acquired Asthmatx, the developer of a bronchial thermoplasty procedure marketed as an alternative to inhaled medications for the treatment of severe asthma for an upfront payment of $193.5 million and future payments of up to $250 million. The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System, which was approved by the FDA in April 2010, uses heat to … [Read more...] about Boston Scientific buys Asthmatx, hopes to expand use of bronchial thermoplasty
Copley announces new version of CITDAS software
Version 3.10 of Copley Scientific's CITDAS inhaler testing software is now available, according to the company. The new version, available as a free upgrade for current CITDAS v3.00 users, includes automatic data importation from Waters Empower chromatography software. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about Copley announces new version of CITDAS software
Inavir DPI for influenza gets Japanese approval
Japan has approved Daiichi Sankyo's Inavir laninamivir dry powder inhaler for the treatment of influenza. Treatment with Inavir requires only a single inhaled 40 mg dose. Read the Daiichi Sankyo … [Read more...] about Inavir DPI for influenza gets Japanese approval
US survey finds support for regulation of e-cigarettes
A survey sponsored by the University of Michigan's C. S. Mott Children's Hospital found support for regulation of e-cigarettes, with 82% of the US adults polled agreeing that the FDA should regulate the products. Approximately 70% of respondents also thought that e-cigarettes should be banned in workplaces and should carry health warnings. Read the report. … [Read more...] about US survey finds support for regulation of e-cigarettes